Prevention Services

Supporting Healthy Lifestyles

Community 2000 / C2000

The C2000 staff is comprised of three substance abuse prevention specialists who provide services to the top twenty-seven counties in Missouri. Each specialist has a nine county region which makes up a service area as designated by the Division of Alcohol and Drug Abuse.


Specialists remain abreast of current drug trends and are familiar with the principles of effective prevention programming. This includes but is not limited to science-based efforts and the theoretical approaches to be used such as the risk and protective factor framework. Staff embraces the five step Strategic Prevention Framework as the method by which to train teams to function most efficiently. Specialists develop an annual training and technical assistance plan for their service area by conducting assessments for each team and thereby identifying areas of need to address in the annual plan. The annual plan is then approved by the ADA. In addition, the specialists provide capacity building assistance to communities which may include things like:

• Community assessment, planning and training
• Legislation and policy development
• Identification and creation of resources
• Program implementation
• Leadership development
• Board and volunteer training

Counties in Service Area (SA) 1:
Andrew*, Atchison, Buchanan, Clinton, DeKalb, Gentry, Holt, Nodaway*, Worth*

Counties in Service Area (SA) 13:
Caldwell, Daviess, Grundy, Harrison, Linn*, Livingston*, Mercer, Putnam*, Sullivan

Counties in Service Area (SA) 14:
Adair*, Clark, Knox*, Lewis, Macon, Marion*, Schuyler*, Scotland, Shelby*

*Counties with Active Coalitions

Missouri Programs

Wreck~ED is a teen oriented substance abuse prevention education program that teaches about the realities and consequences of substance use. The program encourages teens to think more introspectively about their own and their friends behavior regarding alcohol/drugs and general decision making. The program is generally conducted in a classroom setting. Participants will watch a video depicting real life stories of addiction and recovery; and play an interactive card game designed to stimulate conversations on real life choices, behaviors, and consequences.

Mental Health First Aid is a 12 hour training course designed to teach lay people methods in assisting someone who may be developing a mental health problem or in a mental health crisis. The purpose is to increase the mental health knowledge and skills of the U.S. public. This training is appropriate for community groups, organizations, and businesses.

The Signs of Suicide (SOS) is a prevention program designed to combat increasing rates of suicide among middle school and high school youth. SOS is generally conducted in the classroom. The main portion of the training is conducted using a video . The video covers the warning signs of suicide and how to help someone who is in a suicidal crisis. As discussion is an important piece of the program which is led by the Prevention Specialist following the video, it is recommended that class size not be over 30 students.

Question, Persuade, Refer (QPR) is a one-hour gatekeeper training which designed to teach lay and professional gatekeepers to recognize and respond positively to someone exhibiting suicide warning signs and behaviors. A gatekeeper is someone in a position to recognize a crisis and the warning signs that someone may be contemplating suicide. After completing the QPR training, community members will be able to recognize persons at risk for suicide, intervene with those at risk, and refer them to appropriate resources.

General drug and alcohol presentations are also available. Programs can be given on Meth, Alcohol, Marijuana, Prescription Drugs, new and current drug trends, and most other illicit drugs. These presentations are tailored to the group, based on age, current issues, etc. Our Prevention Specialist can answer any of your questions!
Please contact the Specialist for your county to obtain additional information.

Spirit

Preferred Family Healthcare is one of only five providers in the state to conduct a comprehensive, school-based substance abuse prevention program. The Missouri School-based Prevention, Intervention, and Resources Initiative (SPIRIT) is implemented at the Knox County R-1 School District by PFH Prevention Staff. These specialists use evidence based prevention curricula and best practices in grades Kindergarten through 12 to help educate the students on the dangers of Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drug use and abuse, as well as, working to reduce the number of bullying, cyber-bullying and other related acts of aggressive behaviors in the classrooms by using the following:

PeaceBuilders (K-5) is an elementary school based-project to reduce physical and verbal aggression by creating a "culture of peace" within the school environment. Throughout the school year students are taught to interact socially in a positive way through various methods such as modeling, role-playing, and self-monitoring. The main messages are to praise others, avoid put-downs, seek the advice of wise people, right our wrongs and speak up about hurt feelings and helping others.

Second Step (6-8) is a three year DVD based curriculum that helps young adolescents make good choices and stay engaged in school. It not only teaches social and emotional skills that lead to school success but it also supports academics in the classroom. Lesson content and learning strategies align with language arts, media, literacy, health, science, math, physical education, civics and life-skills standards.

The curriculum addresses critical skills like:

• Substance Abuse Prevention
• Empathy and Communication
• Bullying Prevention
• Emotion Management and Coping Skills
• Violence Prevention
• Decision Making
• Problem Solving and Goal Setting

Project Toward No Drug Abuse (9-12) is an interactive program designed to help high school youth resist substance use. It teaches participants increased coping and self-control skills by making them aware of misleading information that facilitates drug use.

Mentoring (9-12) is an evidence based best practice used at the High School level to help raise grades, keep students on track to graduate, decrease drop- out rate and make Knox County High School an overall better place for students.

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Three full-time Preferred Family Healthcare staff; a Project Coordinator, Prevention Coordinator, and a Prevention Specialist, have offices located within the school district and provide a variety of daily interactions with staff, students, parents and community members. These interactions may include:

• Delivery of evidence-based curricula and best practices
• Assisting teachers in designing and developing key curriculum implementation tools for their classrooms
• Conducting substance abuse and violence prevention presentations
• Assisting the district with the identification of students who are exhibiting problem behaviors
• Assisting students in need of assessment
• Serving as Mentors
• Hosting safe and drug free events for families
• ATOD (Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drugs) and violence prevention information dissemination

In addition to providing school-based prevention lessons, SPIRIT Staff also assists the school district with identifying students who are exhibiting problem behaviors, such as increased absenteeism, fighting, sudden negative change in grades, etc. If a student does exhibit problem behavior, and at the request of the school district, the SPIRIT staff will not only provide consultations to teachers and other school personnel but they can assist with screenings for substance use and referral services to an existing Comprehensive Substance Abuse Treatment and Rehabilitation (CSTAR) provider as needed. Referrals in Knox County would go through Preferred Family Healthcare Kirksville Adolescent to find the right program to benefit the adolescent. Please visit our agency webpage to learn more about the Adolescent programs available.

SPIRIT staff work to serve as a link between the community and the school district by actively participating in many community groups and activities, such as; Knox County Rotary Club, Knox County Chamber of Commerce, Knox County Interagency Council, Knox County Coalition Against Meth and Other Substances, and many others.

The SPIRIT program is funded by the Department of Mental Health: Division of Alcohol and Drug Abuse and is evaluated by the Missouri Institute of Mental Health. All students in the Knox County School District receive SPIRIT programming but participation in the evaluation process is voluntary for students and must be consented to by parents/guardians.

Goals of Missouri SPIRIT Initiative:

1. To maximize every school-aged child's readiness to learn as a result of being free from the harmful effects of alcohol and substance abuse;
2. To delay age of first use of alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs;
3. To promote safety in Missouri's classrooms by reducing the incidence of substance abuse and related acts of violence;
4. To strengthen and support families in order to minimize the risks for youth substance abuse;
5. To intervene early with children at greatest risk for substance abuse;
6. To refer children with substance abuse problems to appropriate treatment services to prevent further adverse consequences;
7. To ensure that strategies for school-based services are cost-effective, with measurable goals and outcomes.

Adair County Drug Coalition (ACDC)
Drug Free Communities (DFC)

The Adair County Drug Coalition (ACDC) was formed in July 2003. Originally named the Adair County Meth Coalition focused on meth, the Coalition applied for and received a Drug Free Communities Support Program (DFC) Grant from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration in 2004. The Coalition broadened its focus to educate community members on the dangers and effects of substances such as methamphetamine, marijuana, alcohol, tobacco, inhalants, and prescription drugs. With a broader focus on ATOD (Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drugs), the Adair County Drug Coalition has collaborated with many organizations in the community to help in reaching its goals and objectives.

Adair County Drug Coalition's goals and objectives are:

1. Establish and strengthen collaboration among the Adair County Drug Coalition's partner organizations in support of the community's effort to prevent and reduce substance abuse among youth; and..
2. Reduce substance abuse among youth in Adair County, Missouri, and over time, among adults by addressing the issues in our community that increase the risk of substance abuse and promoting the factors that minimize the risk of substance abuse.

The Adair County Drug Coalition has its own survey to collect data on youth in grades 6, 7, and 8. Once a year, in May, the survey takes place in three school districts within our community. The survey is done in the classroom during regular school hours; all three grades take the survey at the same time on the same day. Within the survey the students are asked 69 questions that range from age of first use of a specific substance to their perception of risk of a certain substance. Once the students have completed the surveys, the raw data is compiled into a useable report by the Coalition's Evaluator. From this, the information is shared with the coalition, its members and the community through local media and public presentations. The survey's results help the Coalition with the knowledge of what substances are currently being abused by youth, which in turn, focuses the Coalitions messages to the community.

Kansas Programs

Community-Based Prevention: The community-based prevention model utilizes community teams, task forces and coalitions of volunteers. Our prevention specialists provide trainings, tools, and other technical assistance to these groups by helping them conduct the following: Community assessment, capacity building and planning; coalition organizational development; evidence-based environmental strategies, programs and practices; legislative and policy development; identification and creation of resources; program implementation and evaluation; leadership development; board and volunteer training; and cultural competence and sustainability Community Mobilization Trainings for coalitions are 1-2 hour trainings on the following subjects related to substance abuse prevention: Strategic Prevention Framework Overview, Community Risk Assessment and/or Needs Assessment Training, Community Tri-Ethnic Readiness Assessment Training, Community Coalition Capacity/Resource Assessment Training, Community Planning and Implementation Training, Evidence-Based Strategies Training, and Evaluation Training.

Strategic Prevention Framework (SPF) training: Prevention Specialists are available to speak to your coalition or organization about the Kansas Strategic Prevention Framework, known as K-SPF, a risk factor focused prevention model that employs strategies used by communities that have been successful at reducing alcohol, tobacco and other drug abuse and other adolescent problem behaviors. Participants will be introduced to assessment of community risks and resources, prioritizing risk factors, strategies and interventions, and program evaluation. K-SPF is a way for communities to develop a comprehensive, risk-focused prevention response to adolescent problems. K-SPF is a practical approach to prevention that uses successful, research-based prevention strategies to reduce risk factors while enhancing protective factors.

Coalition Capacity Building Trainings are 2 hour training based off the One-Kansas training curriculum that will enhance and build the capacity coalitions, task forces and other groups. Training topics include: Asset Mapping, Civic Engagement, Collaboration, Community Diversity, Conflict Resolution, Facilitative Leadership, and Strategic Communication.

Power of Parents is a 30 Minute Parent Training Program aimed at parents of teens. Our Regional Prevention Center Prevention Specialists are Trained Facilitators. Ask about becoming a POP Facilitator.

Guiding Good Choices is a Drug Use Prevention Program aimed at parents with children in grades 4-8 (ages 9-14) that has five 2-hour sessions.

Strengthening Families Program For Parents and Youth 10-14 is a seven week program implemented in 2 hour sessions that uses a parent, youth and family skills-building curriculum designed to prevent teen substance abuse and other behavior problems, strengthen parenting skills and build family strengths. In this training parents and youth meet separately the first hour then families practice skills and have fun together during the second hour. Recognized by four federal agencies: National Institute on Drug Abuse, US Department of Education, US Department of Justice (OJJDP) and US Department of Health and Human Services (CSAP)

Fetal Alcohol Syndrome / Effects is a 2 - 3 hour program for adults that explores the differences between Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS) & Fetal Alcohol Effects (FAE). Participants will be able to recognize the signs and symptoms of both and apply practical skills to coping and dealing with children with Fetal Alcohol Syndrome/ Effects.

Youth Leadership is a program for middle school and high school students offered with varied times according to group's needs. The youth leadership programs help teens explore leadership styles, communication skills, and critical thinking and learn how to apply them to community planning.

Media Literacy two hour training for Middle School, High School, and Adults. People are exposed to hundreds of media messages daily in many forms -- music, movies, television, newspapers, and signs. Many are completely unaware of the number of messages they receive and are unable to decipher those messages. The purpose of the media literacy program helps people identify the various forms of media, understand how media is used, help develop the critical thinking skills necessary to analyze media messages and make their own decisions regarding those messages, and how to use these skills to develop their own media messages.

Methamphetamine Home Visitor Safety Training as a training that provides an overview of methamphetamine and information about Home Visitor Safety in a world where meth manufacturing has become an epidemic. Participants will receive a methamphetamine overview, and learn about vital safety procedures regarding meth houses, health risks, hazardous materials, and the effects on children.

Teacher In-services - 1-2 hour trainings that are research/science based programming for your Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drugs (ATOD) and violence prevention needs. Team Building Workshop, Drug Trends, Specific Drug Info. (Upon Request), Bullying, School Risk and Protective Factors and using the Kansas Communities That Care Student Survey Data, Damage Vs. Resiliency Model - Children of Alcoholics (COA), Signs and Symptoms of Drug Use, How to Implement Student Assist Programs, and When Chemicals Come to School. See our other training topics for youth.

General drug and alcohol presentations are also available. Programs can be given on Meth, Alcohol, Marijuana, Prescription Drugs, new and current drug trends, and most other illicit drugs. These presentations are tailored to the group, based on age, current issues, etc. Our Prevention Specialist can answer any of your questions!

Regional Prevention Center

The primary service of the Kansas Regional Prevention Center (RPC) is to assist community groups, social service agencies, parents, businesses, churches and school personnel in developing coalitions, which focus on reducing the risk of problem behaviors and develop protective factors for individuals, families, schools and communities.

The RPC's initiatives, funded by Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services (KDADS), are science based prevention services. The RPC supports research-based practices, data-driven processes and outcomes-based planning and evaluation.

The Preferred Family Healthcare has been providing prevention services in 19 Kansas Counties since October 2011, after being awarded two grants through Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services to provide community-based prevention services as a Regional Prevention Center (RPC) in both south central Kansas and southeast Kansas. The purpose of the grants is to reduce alcohol and tobacco use among children and youth by providing both direct and indirect services to the communities using the Strategic Prevention Framework. On November 1, 2011, we officially began start-up and by mid-November we were fully staffed in each region. Prevention Specialists, Project Coordinators and clerical support staff have been providing prevention services in 19 Kansas counties through collaborative partnerships with coalitions, schools, and tobacco enforcement agents in their areas as well as meeting with key stakeholders to help communities assess the needs, build capacity to address substance abuse prevention needs, and create comprehensive plans for implementation of evidence based strategies.

Please check back often for updates and how you can be involved in evidence based prevention strategies in Kansas!

Kansas Counties Served:
Rice, McPherson, Reno, Harvey, Kingman, Sedgwick, Harper, Sumner, Anderson, Linn, Woodson, Allen, Bourbon, Wilson, Neosho, Crawford, Montgomery, Labette, Cherokee

The virtual tobacco cessation program "Online, Off Tobacco" is a truly innovative tobacco cessation service for all who currently live in the painted counties below. Click the map to access a list of the counties within the service area. This program recognizes the need for cessation services across the state of Missouri and is bringing classes to the virtual world. Preferred Family Healthcare uses an 'uncharted island' in Jibe to hold American Lung Association, Freedom from Smoking, sessions online. The program, in all, is 7 weeks with only 1-hour sessions per week.

Quitting isn't easy and the American Lung Association and PFH recognize that. We don't expect you to quit the first session. Let us explain how each session works:

1. Session 1-2: Trained facilitators work one-on-one with you, or in a group, to recognize your smoking patterns and triggers.
2. Session 3: Prepares you to quit. Participants work with the facilitator to create an individualized quit plan tailored toward your smoking patterns and triggers.
3. Session 4: Quit day!
4. Sessions 5-7: Participants learn healthy lifestyles to remain smoke-free. These sessions include numerous topics, including stress management, weight management, nutrition, assertive communication and more.

We understand your time is valuable. Therefore, our sessions are available at your convenience from the comfort of your own home or any Wi-Fi spot. We are available in the morning, afternoon, evening and even on the weekends. It's proven, those who use some form of nicotine replacement therapy double their chances of successfully quitting. To assist in these efforts, PFH is offering FREE nicotine replacement therapy. However, some choose to quit cold turkey, which is perfectly acceptable. In this case, we offer a $25 gift card to any sporting goods store of your choice. The 'high' received through smoking is released through physical activity. It's a healthy trade off. Also included with the course is a FREE participant workbook full of helpful tips and activities sent by mail after registration is complete.

After the class ends, we understand that you may still need additional support. As a participant you have access to our Nicotine Anonymous sessions for as long as you wish after completing the seven-week program.

Missouri Contacts

Email: prevention@pfh.org
Phone: 660-665-1962 or 816-407-1754

Kansas Contacts

Email (Wichita): RPCwichita@pfh.org
Phone (Wichita): 316-943-2051

Email (Iola): RPCregion7@pfh.org
Phone (Iola): 620-365-7682